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Worcester’s Sanchez Navy Bound

BERLIN- Worcester Prep soccer standout Martin Sanchez last week committed to the U.S. Naval Academy and will take his game to Annapolis next year.

Sanchez, who was named the Mallards’ most valuable player after a stellar senior season last fall, has accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy and will play soccer for the Middies next year. The standout defender and prolific scorer said this week he is excited about the opportunity to play Division I soccer at Navy in the Patriot League, which also features other service academies Army and Air Force along with schools such as Lehigh, Colgate and American. Sanchez said he is looking forward to the rigors of the Naval Academy both on and off the soccer field.

“I’ve always wanted to attend the Naval Academy because I’m one who appreciates order and structure in all that I do,” he said. “The program of the academy is an excellent one for me.”

Sanchez’s soccer career extends far beyond his playing days at Worcester Prep. He has also played for the Casamia Bays, the Free State Elite and was a member of the U.S. Olympic Development team. He prefers to play center defense or center back and will likely have the opportunity to make an immediate impact at Navy next year. He first met former Navy coach Rich Mirande before meeting new coach Dave Brandt, both of whom were reportedly eager for him to play at Navy.

In his four years at Worcester, Sanchez was an important component of several highly successful Mallard teams. Worcester Coach Tom Westcott said Sanchez’s skill and leadership will be difficult to replace, but voiced confidence the Mallard standout would thrive at Navy.

"We are really going to miss Martin on our team next year, but I know he’ll make his mark on the Navy team,” he said. “He is a quality player and a quality person.”